🏀 KuBuckets Archive

@HawkChamp said:

@BigBad they struggle a lot more than just "sometimes".

I agree but its relative. A lot of teams would kill for a Runner up, two elite 8s, and a sweet 16 in the last 6 tournaments.

@justanotherfan said:

Perhaps that means we go 3-3 over the next couple of weeks, but if that means that our main six guys are ready to go come March, that's probably the best possible trade off.

Self has ALWAYS coached to win the game at hand. He has never done much of the big picture season planning. It's why we rarely lose bad Big12 games but also why we "struggle" in the tourney sometimes.

It's wonderful to be positive. However Lightfoot does not at this time have the skill set or size to play at a this level let alone the Kentucky game. Hustle and grit get you only so far. We were already crazy thin up front now even more. Our guards will be so exhausted come March I wouldn't be surprised if we lose by the 2nd round. I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer just realistic.

If Devonte was on any other team but Kansas most of us wouldn't be able to stand him. The guy takes some god awful shots, misses a ton, and when he makes one he runs around like he is a world beater. He is also typical of an immature player where his defensive intensity only picks up after a good offensive play.

The one thing I've always loved about Self is his impatience with divas. Seems Coach is mellowing in his age.

Is that music?

Did you guys see the foul trouble for the physical guys?

This is how the college game is now being officiated and soft skilled offensive players will have a field day. Both teams over 100? I hope coach Self is taking note because toughing your way to victories is going to be really hard with today's officiating.

@JayHawkFanToo

I know he was a good coach but recruiting dropped by UNC or blue blood standards. They basically rewarded him for being a Dean Smith loyalist. He was 60 years old and was NEVER a head coach previously. He inherited Vince Carter and Antawan Jamison.

Funny thing about your post, you point out he is a Kansan. What does that matter? Again coaches should get jobs for what they can produce not where they are form or what school they are affiliated with.

Why do Blue Blood fans always want coaches who are "part of the family tree"?
UNC got in trouble with this mindset. They clung on to old man Bill Guthridge a bit long which hurt recruiting. They then brought in Matt Doherty who recruited well but couldn't coach. Instead of looking EVERYWHERE for someone who could recruit and coach they stuck to the "family tree" and it hurt them. Of course their obsession with the tree was used to guilt Roy into coming in and saving the day.

Bill Self wasn't a Jayhawk and one year of grad school didn't make him one. None of that mattered when he was hired and Kansas did a great job replacing Roy. I hope when the day comes to replace Self that KU looks for the best available coach regardless of his affiliation with Kansas previously.

@drgnslayr You are looking only at guards from 2008. Go back and look at who had the best game in the championship..... Darrell Arthur with 20 & 10. Inside game is ALWAYS needed. Someone on this team is going to have to give something for a title to be possible. This year will be fun to watch and we can make a final four, I just don't see a title from such a one dimensional team.

This team will be at its best going fast. I do not think 5th year senior Lucas is going to all the sudden become an offensive juggernaut. I don't think freshman Doke going to develop quick enough to be a go to offensive player. I dont think Bragg is going to get tougher all the sudden either.

I think the only solution is to play small with Mason, Devonte, JJ, Svi, and whatever big is playing well that game.

Mason - Is 100% our MVP, the man, etc.

Devonte - showed a bit more of what we expected this year

Josh - had a great stretch there and may be the best freshman wing defender Self has had since Wigs

Bragg - Saw more of the type of aggression we MUST HAVE from him all the time

Lucas - His slow feet are always exposed when playing equal size and better talent

Svi - Some good D and passes but he needs to hit shots period. Being streaky is not what this team needs from him.

Vick - FEARLESS. I think he will get better every game.

Doke - Great energy and effort on the boards. He is still really raw but I love that Self is forced to play him this early. It bodes well for his and our future.

My take....

Bragg is HORRIBLE at boxing out right now. Several times I watched him just turn and look at the ball with no regard for getting his ass into someone. Everyone was hoping for a huge jump out of him. Last year when he had "good" games he scored off open jumpers and junk rebounds and layups.

Mason, Devonte, Jackson, Svi - will all be fine

Lucas - is what he is and looked better last year being next to Ellis. Bragg will not demand that much attention so Lucas WILL struggle.

Our offensive sets or I should say the lack of was concerning. It looked like pick up ball at times.

Nobody on offense deserves major attention from help defense so guys HAVE to win one on one battles which most aside from Frank cant do. This is why the offensive sets are so important.

@Bwag
Totally agree. I was actually pissed by the 2nd overtime that self hadn't substituted.

Go back and watch the game. When Greene goes out of the game at 5:56 left in 2nd half he jaws at the coaches while seated. They all seemed to ignore him at the time. Obviously this carried over into the locker room. You just can't do this as a player. Having said that if I was a shooter who wasn't the greatest athlete I would opt not to play for Bill Self. He is fine with having a great defender hurt the teams offensive chemistry but would never allow a bad defender to play through. Shooters need more time than he gives to get into the rhythm of the game.

I'm not in the fire Bill Self camp, not even close. I just wish he gave shooters on the team more leash.